re: Jennifer Holliday strikes again- Page 3

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:16pm

I could certainly see her as Sofia in COLOR PURPLE -- if, as Best12bars says, she can check her ego at the door.

A big IF -- though I think she played nice for the most part in GREASE and CHICAGO (funny that she gets along with the Weisslers, but no one else......).

Updated On: 12/12/06 at 02:16 PM

[JRybka]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:19pm

I personally met Jennifer when she performed for Mid Atlantic Leather and she was wonderful. I do think that she is being a little pushy about the whole I AM DREAMGIRLS thing. Yes it was 25 years ago. I think it would have been cute if they had been able to put her in somewhere in the movie. Not do it cause she is Jennifer but cause it worked (like chita in Chicago) but I think that if Jennifer Holliday comes back to her roots she could be a success. There are dozens of "gospel" musicals running around there she could do. What about Tyler Perry? He could do something for her. Or she could so a one woman show a la elaine stritch about her life. That would be wonderful.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:19pm

She should go into THE COLOR PURPLE as Sofia when Fields' contract is up. Then go into HAIRSPRAY. Get her name and face back out there, and people talking about her again.

She should try to originate a role, or at least a revival role. She would make a fierce Dolly, but the ego IS a problem.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:21pm

The Color Purple would be an awesome move for her. More so than Hairspray. Personally I don't know how someone can say I just want to work and not take a lead they're so obviously right for. This leads me to believe that maybe she wants to do these things but producers don't want to deal with her. I dunno it'd be an awesome bump in ticket sales and Holliday would be a star in a show that has no "star" in it. I don't see the conflict here.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:24pm

I think it would have been too jarring to have Holliday make a cameo in the film of Dreamgirls. People would have been jerked right out of the moment just to say "Hey, that's her!"

I can't imagine Mary Martin as a "guest," walking and smiling through the party scene at the Von Trapps in the film of Sound of Music. Yikes!

Or Carol Channing twirling her pasta blithely at a table in the Harmonia Gardens next to Babs and Satchmo? Good lord.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:40pm

I'm sure it's a case of producers being wary of working with her, more than her not being willing to accept certain roles. At this point, she needs the cash and replacing on Broadway sure beats the heck out of flying down to South Beach to sing AIATY at her 500th gay wedding.

She has a (well-earned) reputation for being "difficult" and also for missing performances (though, to be fair, every Effie missed their fair share of performances in that role) -- not the best combination for someone seeking employment. There also aren't THAT many roles that her voice and her persona (and her color) are suited for -- and in the last decade, most of those have gone to Lillias White, who while she isn't Holliday's equal vocally, certainly makes up for that in professionalism and reliability. And those roles that didn't go to White, went to Ann Duqesnay, Mary Bond Davis, Capathia Jenkins, Kecia Lewis et al (and it's ironic that several of them played Effie at one time or another, but the role's creator can't get arrested).

If Holliday ever does get another break on Broadway, I hope she understands that it's imperative that she remains on her best behavior at all times -- otherwise it's doubtful the chance will ever come again.

Updated On: 12/12/06 at 02:40 PM

[algy]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:45pm

And Perez Hilton's just picked this up in his quest to get at Beyonce....

[sondhead]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:46pm

AH.. ahh.....

The Wiz. I had not even thought of this. THAT would get it to Broadway in a heart beat. If she played Evillene, it would be so freaking awesome (although whoever was playing it at La Jolla was basically so perfect I could have easily given her a Supporting-Actress Tony). Think about it--she could rock the !@#$% out of No Bad News...

Loga

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:49pm

It's unfortunate that Jennifer doesn't even realize that just because she created the role, it does not mean that she's guaranteed a spot in anything. Just as those before her who were not able to star in the movies of the shows that they created, it's just something that just happens. It doesn't mean that she's owed anything at all. It was 25 years ago and in a way it's very Norma Desmondish. She's holding on to something that was a long time ago. She just needs to move on and I think if she does, it would be better for her. I mean look what it did for Loretta Devine.

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:52pm

I do feel bad for her in what she said on Wendy's show...she has no children, no lover, this is her only "possession," her legacy.

Anyway, I find it hard to believe that she didn't express her interest when THE COLOR PURPLE was coming to Broadway. I would guess that it was THEM who didn't want HER.

[JRybka]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:56pm

I think she should do THE WIZ. I think she would be good. But again, we have to remember that she was 21 years old when she became so famous for something. That is a still a very very young age for someone to hit their mark.

[junglered]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 3:10pm

Atlanta's Theatre of the Stars long time producer Chris Manos has announced that 'Dreamgirls' will be presented next summer at our Fox Theatre as part of their 2007 season of shows. Jennifer Holliday will be re-creating her Tony Award performance as 'Effie'. It's not clear if this production will tour other cities, yet. Hopefully, this will boost Ms. Holliday's confidence.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 3:16pm

I feel for Mrs. Holliday because obviously a lot of this stems from her depression and dwindling career, and I do hope that she can find success performing again. However, the realist in me agrees that she should quit complaining and except the inevitable.

I can understand how painful it must feel to be identified with a role and a song for the majority of your career, only to see someone else come in and take that spotlight. Mrs. Holliday has enjoyed 25 years as THE person associated with "And I Am Telling You.." and to some extent, Dreamgirls itself. She is fortunate that the show has had no real professional remountings since she played the role, which has prevented any competition. However, she should know that there is always the chance that one day someone else will also find success in the same role.

In movies, for the most part, once you play a role no one else will ever play it again. For that reason, Judy Garland IS Dorothy Gale, Vivien Leigh IS Scarlett O'Hara, and Al Pacino IS Michael Corleone. Except for an occassional remake, or prequel/sequel, these actors will forever be identified with these roles. On Broadway, things are different. Once a show closes, it does not come out on video or broadcast on TV where a certain legendary performance can be relived over and over (and yes I know there have been exceptions). The way Broadway shows survive is through granting the rights for new productions and re-inventions -- not video rentals. For years, Joel Grey was unanimously indentified as the Emcee in Cabaret, but I bet if you ask people who are only familiar with the recent revival, they will answer Alan Cumming is the Emcee to them -- and even still I bet a lot of people only know Joel Grey as the "Wizard" in Wicked. Of course there are Broadway performers who, even after subsequent revivals (or movie versions) of their shows, still are able to go on as the embodiment of a particular character. Regardless of the recent Matthew Broderick TV movie and the 2000 revival, Robert Preston has remained the embodiment of Harold Hill -- just as Carol Channing will always be Dolly, and Rex Harrison will also be Henry Higgins (of course two of the three also played those roles on screen).

However, with the "eternal" nature and larger audiences of films, there have been several Broadway stars who originated a role who, to the general public, are not iconic of it. Ask most people who do they think of as Maria Von Trapp and they will say Julie Andrews -- not Mary Martin; and for My Fair Lady it will be Audrey Hepburn as Eliza. Or Chita Rivera, who originated both Anita in West Side Story and Velma in Chicago -- but sits behind both Rita Moreno and Catherine Zeta Jones in mainstream recognition. Although to us Broadway afficianados we will never forget the original performers, the general public will always remember who played it most recently, or who played it in the movie.

I think Jennifer Holliday is afraid that the success of the movie will forever link Jennifer Hudson's name with Effie and with "And I am Telling You.." and hers will be forgotten (except to us Broadway devotees). If the movie was "direct-to-video" or made for cable TV (like Reefer Madness was) then I don't think she would be quite so vehement. However, with the movie looking like it is going to be a smash at the box-office and gather Oscar nominations -- she is very afraid of losing Effie for good.

It's sad for her, but she had to see it coming.

[MinorAdjustments]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 3:19pm

What no one seems to realize is that Jennifer Holliday, for all her singing power, is not a very good actress, at least she wasn't when she starred in Dreamgirls. I saw her performance three times, and she never got any better. The audience went crazy over her gutteral vocals in "I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," and the intensity of that performance can't be denied, but it was painfully clear that she couldn't act, particularly compared to the other actors on stage with her. In the 25 years since, I would hope that her acting has improved. The question is, whether her attitude has improved. Her interview with the Los Angeles Times suggests, perhaps, that it hasn't.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 3:20pm

All the people you mentioned saw their shows made into movies very soon after the shows were on Broadway. This is 25 years later. It's much less realistic to think she would be playing the same role.

Plus, unlike those other people, she's had 25 years to be associated with it, and to make her living doing other productions of it, and singing And I Am Telling You for private functions, and everything else she's been able to do because of it.

Updated On: 12/12/06 at 03:20 PM

[ozone20]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 3:28pm

A cameo by J Holliday in the DG film certainly would not be fair to hudson and it would furthermore be a distraction at best. Her persona is larger than life not to mention her vocal stylings these days and it really would have been a disservice to Hudson's Effie. The comparisons would have been limitless. Jennifer doesnt do "toned down" and again that just would not have been fair to Hudson who is working so had up there.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 3:54pm

It should also be noted that Holliday isn't alone in her feelings of disappointment. Sheryl Lee Ralph says:

"For us to be so much a part of theatrical history and then to be treated like we did nothing is heartbreaking," said Ralph, who has appeared in several TV series and is now touring the country in her one-woman show, "Sometimes I Cry," about women suffering with HIV/AIDS. "I don't take offense. It's just show business, baby. I wish them every success."

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 3:58pm

As someone who works "in Hollywood" I can understand why she was not offered even the smallest part in the film. It's because of all this mess. The film's producers owe her nothing. They bought the rights from David Geffin, not her. They don't need this madness. They don't need to give more of a voice to someone who they are afraid might have a meltdown on the red carpet, or begin berating the film in the press. So by marginalizing her, she becomes "the disgruntled nutbar ex-actress who can't get over herself". It's sad, yet every studio would have come to the same conclusion.

Mention was made of some of the eternal stars of Broadway, like Merman, Martin and Andrews, all of whom saw their biggest star roles given to others when the movie versions were made. What they all seem to have in common is grace. They smiled and went on to climb their next mountain. Miss Holliday is not exhibiting much of that quality and therefore, will be relegated to the sidelines with a megaphone.

Updated On: 12/13/06 at 03:58 PM

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 4:02pm

I was at the Ars Nova show, and let me tell you - she is still one of the best performers I have ever seen (I also saw the Bessie Smith show). I also suffer from depression...my response to the article was to want to hug her.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 4:02pm

Sheryl Lee has expressed disappointment in not being in the film but she knew that was part of the business and was still cordial to the film. She was at the LA premier yesterday along with Loretta.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 4:03pm

Merman, Martin, and Andrews all also had careers beyond their respective shows -- often creating even MORE iconic characters in even MORE shows.

Holliday gets a Tony for her performance of ONE song, then continues to sing it every 6 minutes for the next 25 years -- each time becoming more and more a caricature of herself.

The bottom line is that she is "owed" nothing. She got her salary, an OBC, and a Tony. Now she just needs to get some decent representation to help her break her Dreamgirls security blanket and move the hell on.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 4:15pm

I bet if Holliday and Ralph would have supported the movie from the beginning, then there might be cameos. But, since the beginning both have had negative things to say . . . OF COURSE no one would want them in the movie.

And for Holliday bitching about trying to survive . . . I said it once, I'll say it again . . . GET A FREAKIN' JOB

[Marlothom]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 4:24pm

it must be said, "Effie we ALL got pain."

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 4:34pm

I don't remember Sheryl lee saying negative things. I remember her saying that they didn't reach out to her at all throughout it but I think you're exaggerating a bit when it comes to Sheryl Lee. As a matter of fact she said she was looking forward to the film and thought Beyonce would be fierce.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 4:35pm

That quote of hers that Margo posted seems contradictory.